Earlier, I gave you a sneak peek into one of our newest resources, True Princess: Being a Servant in an All-About-Me-World. The full manuscript is now in my inbox, and we're beginning production on it. I am so excited about the potential of this Bible study to change the mindset and attitudes of teen girls. Here's another sneak peek at what the girls will see:

The pop princesses of our culture have a reputation for being rebellious. It’s no surprise when their scandals hit the headlines and their bad behavior is photographed for the entire world to see. These “princesses” don’t seem to worry much about honoring their family name or protecting the reputation of their fathers.

We may call these girls princesses, but deep down we know this isn’t how a princess is supposed to act. These aren’t the kind of young women we admire. Their lives aren’t the stuff of fairy tales.  

A true princess doesn’t do whatever it takes to draw attention to herself. She is special because she is the daughter of someone special. Everything she does points back toward her father, the king. If a princess acts recklessly or ignores the needs or customs of her people, it isn’t just her reputation that suffers. The honor and image of the throne is at stake.

Honoring the family name may seem like an ancient concept to our modern brains. But it is a key responsibility of a daughter of the King and it’s a theme that is repeated often in Scripture.

Here's another segment. Now can you see why I'm so excited about this Bible study?

As daughters of the king, our lives are not our own. Scripture puts it this way:

Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? –1 Corinthians 6: 19-20a, The Message

Asking God to adopt you into His family means allowing Him to be in charge. He now sits on the throne of your heart and your choices should be determined by His will. This is definitely easier said than done, but it is critical for you to realize that your life is under the authority of the King. You are called to live a life in submission to Christ.

You are probably already living out this principle in some areas of your life....

Just a glance at the latest fashion or celebrity magazine, and you can see why a Bible study like this is so desperately necessary to counteract the mindset of our culture. I can't wait for this to hit the shelves!

I was teaching at a youth ministry class at New Orleans seminary last week and mentioned the upcoming Girls' Ministry Forum. A guy asked a question that has been posed to me more than once: can a guy attend the girls' forum?

Not only can they come, but they need to come. Here's why:

1. Statistically, girls comprise a majority of a youth ministry (and a church)—or they will in the future. And that is not likely to change.
2. Girls' needs and struggles are different that what a guy faces. This conference will give guys the chance to peel the curtain back just a bit and get a glimpse into this generation of girls. 
3. Parents need to know that male ministers care about what's going on with their teen girls. The fact that guys are willing to attend a conference like this will increase their value in parents' eyes by ten-fold.
4. Girls need to know that male ministers care. One way they can demonstrate that concern is by attending a conference that is just about them.
5. Guy youth ministers (and pastors) are a resource for parents and volunteers. When parents or teachers are struggling with a girl's actions, they need to hear more than platitudes or a summary statements about how girls are a mystery. They need education, encouragement, and information, all of which can be garnered from this conference.

One of the most frustrating things for me as a leader of girls is the sense of entitlement. Girls in fifth grade with iPhones (seriously, now, why does a 5th grader need an iPhone) for example. And I know from talking with girls' leaders everywhere that I am not alone in my frustration. Yes, girls need to understand that they are valuable because they are the daughter of the King of Kings. But somewhere along the way, we as adults have cultivated in this generation the sense that being royalty means being pampered.

I'm excited to announce that we are working on a resource to tackle this issue: Real Princess: Being a Servant in an All-About-Me World. It's written by Erin Davis, as seasoned writer who passionately loves Jesus and teen girls. Here's just a short sample of what the book will talk about:

The tables are set with white linen and fine china. Seated at each table are groups of girls whispering excitedly as they nibble tiny sandwiches and yummy desserts. Some girls are sipping hot tea from fine china teacups. Everyone in the room is wearing a tiara. Adults circle the room giving out kind words of affirmation. One message is repeated over and over throughout the evening: “You are a princess.”

The scene I’m describing wasn’t ripped from the pages of a high society magazine. This isn’t a royal banquet taking place inside a castle (although it was designed to feel like it). In fact, this scene can be found most often in church youth rooms and fellowship halls. The girls made to feel like princesses are you.

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s been a movement afoot to convince young women like you that you’re all princesses. Pure princess retreats and daughter of the king banquets are planned at churches just like yours in an attempt to show you your value by pointing out that you are the daughter of the King.

But where exactly does this idea that we are princesses come from? What exactly does it mean to be a daughter of the king? ...

I’d like you to begin to shift your focus from seeing yourself as a princess to seeing yourself as the daughter of the king. That may seem like a silly distinction, but trust me, there’s a huge difference between acting like a princess and being the daughter of a king (especially the King of Kings)...

Hollywood may lead us to believe that princesses can do whatever they’d like. But this simply isn’t the case. Being a princess comes with responsibility. You aren’t just called to act like princesses. You are called to honor the king.

Ready to read more? You'll have to wait until Summer 2010!

We're in the process of editing and designing our first Bible study for 2010: Table for Two: Doing Life and Savoring Scripture Together.

If you're looking for a resource to mentor girls, this is for you. If you're looking for a resource that will give girls a basic tool for studying the Bible themselves, this is for you, too.

The book is written by Mona Corwin and Amy Pierson (girls' minister at Prestonwood Baptist in Plano, TX), two women who have not only mentored each other, but who have also mentored dozens of girls and women.

Below is an excerpt from the study:

God hears our cry; His Word alone contains the answers. John 17:17 proclaims this promise: “Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth.” God’s Word will satisfy our cry for connection through the knitting of our hearts together as we engage in His Word. God’s Word will satisfy the need for intimacy in our relationship with Him. The answer to every cry of our mind, heart, and soul is found in God’s Word.

We recognized this hunger for God’s voice and His Word, and we heard the cry of women longing for deep connection. So, we set out to create a Bible study tool that would give ladies of all ages the confidence to be able to discover Truth and hear from Him in His precious Word, the Bible. We also wanted to create an environment for a sister connection, of any age combination, where mutual mentoring could flourish. It had to be easy to remember, and just like our own sister-connection, it had to be fun. And Table for Two was born.

Can't wait to see it on the bookshelves in April 2010!

If you think the Girls' Ministry Forum in February is just for you as a leader, then think again. One of the best aspects of this unique weekend is what it offers for high school girls. Here are three reasons your teen girls need to come to the forum:

1. Leadership training: Teen girls need skills in Christian leadership. This conference will help girls develop skills in leading Bible study, mentoring a younger girl, deconstructing media, developing healthy friendships, and identifying and using their spiritual gifts.

2. Connection: Girls coming to this event will recognize that being a godly Christian girl is possible. They will see other girls their age who are also pursuing Christ with a passion. They'll leave the event feeling like they have a lot in common with girls from across the U.S.

3. Worship: There's nothing like an all-girl choir. And there's nothing like the freedom of expression when women (young and old) get together for worship. Girls will be able to express themselves in a relaxed manner without wondering what "that guy" is thinking.

These are just a few reasons. Check out the information about the forum to find out more! See you there!

If you have a girl who has gone crazy over Edward or head over heels for Jacob, then consider getting this book: Escaping the Vampire: Desperate for the Immortal Hero. Here's and excerpt from their Facebook site:

"What do vampire-romance lit and the Bible have in common? Plenty. Escaping the Vampire offers your teen girl a real immortal hero who can truly fulfill her hearts deepest desire: Christ."

Playing on many themes running through the popular Twlight series, this book talks about our desperate need for forgiveness, to be rescued by love, to be brave and beautiful, and to find our place in the story. It's a book that tells us three things:

1. First, every girl longs to be loved with a vast and endless passion.
2. Second, there is a fiercely protective Immortal Hero who longs for your heart.  
3. And third, He loves you with an unconditional and irrevocable love.

You can even check out a You Tube video that promotes it.

So, if you need that last minute gift, or if you want to help bring some balance to that teen girl whose gone over the edge in the Twilight movement, this might be a good book.

Unless you've been on a sequestered jury for the last couple of weeks, you know that the much-anticipated day has finally arrived: the release of New Moon, the second movie in the cult-statused Twilight book series. Girls have had this date circled on their calendars for weeks. They have surfed the Web for clues. Thay have bought magazines. They have watched every trailer imaginable.

You might be tempted to avoid any discussion about the movie because, like thousands of others, you're already tired of hearing about it. However, you might want to take another approach: use the movie release and book's content to begin a discussion about deeper issues. Listed below are five simple questions you can use to begin a dialogue with a girl about New Moon. In parenthesis are some possible directions the conversation could take.

1.       Are you Club Jacob or Club Edward? Why? (Jacob is the werewolf, Edward the vampire. Girls are divided over which they would choose. Jacob is the friend and confidant for Bella after Edward leaves. This is an easy discussion-starter that will allow you to approach other subjects within the book/movie.)

2.       Do you think you would respond like Bella did when Edward left? In what ways? What things do you think you wouldn’t do? (When Edward leaves early in New Moon, Bella responds with increasingly-dangerous behavior. In short, she acts as if life is not worth living. Her behavior is extremely disturbing and unhealthy. “I’d rather die than be with anyone but you.”)

3.       What would you want to do if you lived forever like Edward and the other vampires? (Edward is an accomplished pianist among other things. This might be an opportunity to discuss the fact that we are NOT given eternity, that everyone must face their own mortality.)

4.       Why do you think Bella doesn’t want to marry Edward? (This may be a good place to begin a discussion about the understanding of marriage and commitment.)

5.       In the book, Bella’s father Charlie seems kind of clueless sometimes, but what do you see as some of his positive qualities? Do you think Charlie could have done something differently as her father? (This could open the door for a discussion about a father’s role in family life.)

Sometimes I really love my job.I love meeting new people. I love giving women (and men) a vision for reaching teen girls. I love being creative and thinking outside the box and dreaming and looking toward what could be. I love being around people who are passionate about reaching teen girls.

Yesterday was one of those days. I got to meet with a team of very talented people and dream about a new Bible study for teen girls. A Bible study that attacks a prevaling mantra that says, "I deserve." A Bible study that helps girls understand that yes, they are princesses endowed with great worth because they are God's beloved, but they are not on the throne. A Bible study that challenges girls to embrace humility instead of pride, servanthood instead of selfishness, meekness instead of aggression. A Bible study that is flexible enough to experience on a variety of levels and settings, from an overnight sleepover to an ongoing discipleship group.

The name of this new Bible study? Tossing Your Tiara: Embracing Humility in an All-About-Me World.

I can't wait to see where God takes this study. I can't wait for girls to begin to grasp their roles as light bearers and ambassadors to the world around them. I can't wait to watch as God begins open their eyes to the sneaky deceptiveness of the enemy who wants them to be less than God created them to be and to accomplish. I can't wait for girls to understand what it really means to be a daughter of God.

As the study unfolds, I'll keep you posted on the progress!

What do you look for in a Bible study? What elements, themes, or topics are important to you?

If you haven't heard anything about our first Girls' Ministry Forum, here's the scoop:

Converge: Powering Girls' Ministry
February 26-27, 2010
Nashville, Tennessee

Those are the basics, but here are some more of the great details.

Carol Sallee will be our keynote speaker. She is the founder of To Know Christ Ministries. Through this ministry, Carol speaks across the United States and writes for a numerous Christian publications, including writing the girls' ministry Bible study, Confident. Ily published a bible study for youth girls called Confident. This six week study, available through LifeWay, Confident, which is designed to help teenage girls find their confidence in Christ. Carol is married to Phil, a pastor, and is also mom to three grown children. A satisfying evening to Carol consists of chocolate, a good movie, and Mexican food. Carol admits she is addicted to Sketchers tennis shoes, reality television, and Twitter. Visit www.carolsallee.com to learn more.

Shelly E. Johnson will lead worship. Born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Shellyis a Nashville-based Christian Artist, Worship Leader and Songwriter with a deep devotion to her Creator and a desire to share Him with others. In 2008, Shelly attended the Gospel Music Association’s Music in the Rockies Seminar, where her song “That’s the Power of the Cross” was awarded the 2008 Song of the Year and her song “Draw Near” was awarded Scripture Song of the Year.  In June 2009, Shelly released her second album entitled Mosaic of Grace.  In August 2009, Shelly was awarded the National Winner in the Gospel Music Association's Immerse National Artist Competition and continues to experience growing momentum as God opens new doors for ministry.  Visit www.shellyejohnson.com to learn more.

In addition to corporate times of worship and Bible study, this conference will provide breakout sessions for enrichment, training, and networking for women. Some of the topics covered include:

• The Great Juggling Act: Balancing Family, Career, and Ministry
• Discipleship 101: How to Disciple Girls
• God is Great, God is Good: Teaching Girls How to Pray
• Lost in Translation: Communcating with Guys
• Help Me! Teen Girls in Crisis

The best part of the conference, though, isn't what it offers women (although I think that's pretty significant). It's what it offers for teen girls. We are offering a leadership track for teen girls, grades 9-12. This track is geared at developing and equipping the next generation for life and ministry to their peers. Some of the topics for the girls include:

• Big Sister, Little Sister—Mentoring Younger Students
• Taming the Media Monster—How to Evaluate the Impact of Media
• Gift to Go—Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts and How to Use Them
• No Worries—The Basics of Leading a Bible Study
• BFFs Forever—How to Develop Healthy Friendships

For an up-to-date listing of all of the breakouts, to get information about the event, or to register, you can go to our Web site: Girls' Forum.

The more I think and plan and pray about this event, the more excited I become. Not because it's something my ministry is offering. Not because it's my job. And certainly not because I'll be leading a breakout. I get excited because of the potential I see to equip women and teen girls to impact their world. A gathering for training, encouragement, networking, worship, and Bible study. Count me in!

Yeah, right. Like anybody can really understand teen girls. They're an enigma wrapped in a riddle topped off with a side of confusing and baffling.

What's one thing you wish you could tell your parents?

"How I feel about my dead father." (that'll break your heart!)

"Grayson is a hog of everything." (I'm assuming that's a little brother.)

"Sometimes she [mom] acts a little crappy." (I love the honesty of teenagers.)

"That even though they were once teens, it's not the same as it was." (just go online!)

What's one thing you feel pressured to do or to be?

"My parents pressure me to be a dork, everyone else pressures me to be popular." (great insight!)

"To get a volleyball scholarship. My dad did this." (how many other parents are reliving their childhood years through their teenagers?)

"Jealousy...my friend always cmes to school with expensive clothes brands."

"Perfect." (This was said several times in several different ways.)

What scares you?

"Disappearing, not mattering, blending in, being forgotten." (wow.)

"That I'll get fat." (This was not an isolated answer, by the way.)

"Jellyfish." (If you have ever seen the movie Seven Pounds, you'd be scared of them too!)

"The dark or thinking someone could break into our house." (safety is a major issue for this generation.)

Intrigued? I've saved the most popular answers for the Web cast, so you'll have to wait 'til Tuesday to hear the rest. If you can't make it, don't worry. A few days after the event, we'll have the whole Webcast online. Feel free to pass along this information to the parents in your church. They might be a bit surprised (and you might be, too).